A CENTENNIAL INCINERATION

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33514, 20 April 1974, Page 1

A CENTENNIAL INCINERATION

(From Our Own Reporter! NELSON, April 19.

Guests stood around the slowly-turning spit on which the young bullock was assuming a delicious golden colour. Plates were at the ready, and mouths watered.

Then the spit stopped, fat dripped—and flames erupted.

Ten minutes later dense smoke cleared to reveal a water-soaked, shapeless, unappetising-looking black lump.

The succulent-looking bullock had turned quietly on the spit all afternoon and into last evening when the guests began to arrive at the Trafalgar Centre for the “cook-in” barbecue to celebrate the Nelson City Council centenary.

The chefs had no reason to foresee trouble as the beast turned slowly over the charcoal—until it stopped turning, that is. Then the fat, sloshing gently

around inside the carcase, fell in an ever-increasing stream on to the charcoal.

A small fire extinguisher was played hastily upon the conflagration as flames reached up at least HI teet. It had little effect. But the honorary carvers on hand for such an emergency, and quickly quelled the blaze by playing a hose on the burning bullock. Diners, chefs, city councillors, staff and guests were confronted with the messy remains.

Bui the honorary carvers were equal to the occasion. The charred outside w; ■ snipped away to reveal a more-appetising flesh below and a pig which had been barbecued on an adjoining spit was untouched by the fire. This proved delicious, as did much of the bullock —despite the incineration. Unfortunately, some parts of the carcase were as underdone e,s others were overcooked.